The Tampa Bay Lightning are cutting left winger Vinny Prospal loose.
Tampa general manager Brian Lawton said today that the team intends to buy out the remaining three years of the 33-year-old's contract, if he's not claimed on league waivers.
Prospal, who accounted for 19 goals and 45 points last season, still has $10.5 million owing on his original four-year deal.
The Lightning can buy him out for two-thirds of his contract, or about $7 million spread over 6 years.
"After fully evaluating our roster and our position in the salary cap world, we arrived at the decision to buy out Vaclav Prospal from his contract," Lawton said in a release. "We appreciate Vinny's service to the Lightning, but in the best interest of the team, we believe a difficult decision needed to be made in this case, and we are going to move ahead without him. We wish Vinny all the best."
